Area Sales Manager - ME,TN,DA,CT in Maidstone

About Crown Lift Trucks Ltd: Crown is one of the world’s largest material handling companies with a reputation for award‑winning product design, advanced engineering & technology, as well as superior after‑sales service. For 80 years, Crown’s business philosophy has utilised vertically integrated processes to design, manufacture, and distribute forward‑thinking, innovative solutions that improve customers’ productivity and operating efficiency.

Job Description: Reporting to the Branch Sales Manager, your key responsibility is the growth of a specific sales region. The area already hosts an existing client portfolio but ultimately the success of the role hinges on 80% New Business Development and 20% Account Management of our existing customer base. We are looking for candidates that come from a Materials Handling background and ideally within the Fork Lift Industry.

You will play a key role in all stages of the sales process, including initial prospecting, appointment making, customer presentations and demonstrations through to ultimately closing the deal. The efficient planning and management of the territory is as crucial as your work ethic, drive and enthusiasm. Offering a consultative approach, working across all levels from shop floor to board level, you will develop a thorough understanding of each prospect or customer and their operations, looking for opportunity to secure new business, develop further business or provide additional value.

We are looking for an individual who can demonstrate a successful sales track record within the electric warehousing equipment sector or a similar or aligned industry such as pallet racking systems. We place emphasis on career stability and therefore look for an employment history that demonstrates this. You will be a self‑starter and have a strong work ethic, high energy, drive and determination.

Person Specification:

• Candidate should have a minimum of 5 years materials handling sales background ideally within the Fork Lift Industry.
• Strong new business development skills.
• Effective account management / development capabilities.
• Personable – ability to build strong relationships.
• Strong presentation and customer facing skills (written and verbal presentations, equipment demonstration, price negotiation and objection handling).
• Commercial acumen (need identification, market awareness, competitor awareness).
• Solution sales ability.
• Numerically competent.
• IT skills (Microsoft Office, email etc.).
• Excellent organisational skills (specifically territory planning, time management and working to deadline).
• Ability to absorb client information and communicate features and benefits to customers.

Vacancy Details:

• Hours Of Work: Monday to Friday – 37 hours per week, but may be more to fulfil the job requirements.
• Target Salary: Highly competitive salary plus excellent commission and quarterly bonus.
• Company Vehicle: Company car & fuel card; private mileage benefit subject to tax regulations.
• Holidays: 25 days holiday and Bank Holidays.
• Pension: Company pension plan.
• Benefits: Excellent discount scheme with access to the best perks from some of the UK’s biggest brands.

Contact: Karen Callander, Rutherford Road, Basingstoke, RG24 8PD, www.crown.com. If you have any further queries regarding this job, please do not hesitate to contact the Recruitment Team at Crown Lift Trucks Ltd on 01256 300211 or via uk.recruitment@crown.com.